A new white paper advocates immediate adoption of natural refrigerants in refrigerated maritime containers to meet climate goals.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Kuehne Climate Center have published a white paper calling for a rapid transition to climate- and environment-friendly refrigerants in reefer containers. The document outlines the urgent need to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), citing their high global warming potentials (GWPs) and links to persistent PFAS pollution.
Most reefers currently rely on R134a and R404A, with GWPs of 1,530 and 4,728 respectively. Leakage rates as high as 25% led to an estimated 3.74 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions in 2018 alone. The report warns that failure to act could jeopardize targets under the Paris Agreement and the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2023 GHG Reduction Strategy.
The white paper identifies propane (R290) and CO₂ (R744) as the most viable alternatives, offering ultra-low GWPs (0.02 and 1, respectively) and no PFAS content. R290’s energy performance is considered comparable to conventional refrigerants, while adoption barriers include flammability concerns and regulatory complexity. ISO 20854:2019 is highlighted as a critical standard for enabling R290 use in maritime settings.
Energy efficiency improvements—through better insulation and control systems—can cut indirect emissions by up to 20%. The study’s modelling shows that 50% adoption of R290 in new reefers by 2050 could significantly reduce GHG and PFAS emissions. It also emphasizes the need for global regulatory alignment, technician training, and financial incentives to accelerate adoption.
“This paper is both a call to action and a source of inspiration for stakeholders across the maritime ecosystem,” said Otto Schacht, advisor to the Kühne Foundation and former Head of Global Seafreight at Kuehne+Nagel.
“The transition to sustainable refrigeration technologies is no longer an option – it is an absolute necessity,” said Kirsten Orschulok, project lead of Greener Reefers at GIZ.
Market Context
With the reefer container market growing at an estimated 8% annually, major players such as Carrier, Daikin, and Thermo King face increased regulatory and customer pressure to offer sustainable alternatives. Adoption of R290 and R744 aligns with EU F-gas Regulation (EU 2024/573), the Kigali Amendment, and upcoming PFAS restrictions under REACH.
